Automatic multi-station textile strand handling machine

Abstract

A multistation automatic textile machine, such as a multi-position winder or spinning machine, having a passageway formed through the machine's end frame structure for accommodating a transport conveyor or other transport path for spinning bobbins and other strand-supporting tubes.

We claim: 
     
       1. An automatic textile strand handling machine comprising a plurality of work stations arranged adjacent one another, each said work station having respective operation devices for performing strand handling operations with respect to a strand bobbin, means for transporting strand bobbins relative to said work stations, housing means occupying a predetermined plan area at one end of said work stations for enclosing supply means for supplying common operational power inputs to said operating devices of all said work stations, said housing means comprising at least one passageway for transport of strand bobbins through the plan area occupied by said housing means, and at least one means for performing a strand processing operation with resect to the strands of strand bobbins, said bobbin processing means being arranged within the plan area occupied by said housing means for operation on strand bobbins transported through said at least one passageway. 
     
     
       2. An automatic textile strand handling machine according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said housing means comprises a base portion defining an upper limit of said passageway sufficient to accommodate unrestricted transport therethrough of strand bobbins. 
     
     
       3. An automatic textile strand handling machine according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said passageway is configured and dimensioned to permit manual access by a machine operator to strand bobbins on the path of bobbin transport through said at least one passageway. 
     
     
       4. An automatic textile strand handling machine according to claim 1 and characterized further in that said passageway is configured and dimensioned to permit manual access by a machine operator to said bobbin processing means through said at least one passageway. 
     
     
       5. An automatic textile strand handling machine comprising a plurality of work stations arranged adjacent one another, each said work station having respective operation devices for performing strand handling operations with respect to a strand bobbin, means for transporting strand bobbins relative to said work stations, housing means occupying a predetermined plan area at one end of said work stations for enclosing supply means for supplying common operational power inputs to said operating devices of all said work stations, said housing means comprising at lest one passageway for transport of strand bobbins through the plan area occupied by said housing means, said bobbin transporting means defining a transport path having a first section extending along said work stations and a second section extending through said passageway, said bobbin transporting means being configured for transporting strand bobbins by means of individual support members, and means for performing a bobbin handling operation arranged along said second transport path section and said housing means, said performing means being disposed above said bobbin handling means and said second transport path sections. 
     
     
       6. An automatic textile strand handling machine according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said bobbin handling means comprises means for preparing a leading strand end on a bobbin for unwinding therefrom. 
     
     
       7. An automatic textile strand handling machine according to claim 5 and characterized further in that said bobbin handling means comprises means for removing residual strand from a bobbin. 
     
     
       8. An automatic textile strand handling machine comprising a plurality of work stations arranged adjacent one another, each said work station having respective operating devices for performing strand handling operations with respect to a strand bobbin, means for transporting strand bobbins relative to said work stations, and housing means at one end of said work stations for enclosing supply means for supplying a common operational power input to said operating devices of all said work stations, said housing means comprising at least one passageway for transport of strand bobbins through the plan area occupied by said housing means and means arranged within the plan area occupied by said housing means for performing at least one of a bobbin cleaning operation and a strand end preparation operation on strand bobbins during transportation through said at least one passageway.